Mariana morkel

T20 World Cup: When India takes on South Africa in the Super Eights clash of 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 22, Mariana Morkel may be the most conflicted cricket fan on the planet at that time.

At her home in Pretoria, Mariana will be torn in supporting either South Africa, the country which Albie Morkel represented as a player in one Test, 58 ODIs and 50 T20Is and is now their consultant coach for the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup or India, where her younger son Morne Morkel, who played for the Proteas in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20Is, serves as their bowling coach.

When asked in the pre-match press conference ahead of their Group D clash against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium if he’s exchanged coaching notes with Morne, Albie said, “No, we don't talk to each other. I think my mother, she's more worried than us. She doesn't know who to support, India or South Africa.”